Water YOU Waiting For?

PURPOSE/GOAL: To educate volunteer audience members on water conservation and quality information on both the global and local scale. We wanted to (through group participation) help to develop clear and manageable strategies for encouraging and carrying out simple eco-friendly water use habits.

CONTENT: Powerpoint with information on global and local watersheds and systems (including their use and misuse)

-Exposure to, explanation of, and distribution of affordable green products in the form of a raffle.

-Demonstration to illustrate global inequalities that exist in the realms of water consumption, availability and quality. (See “Water Bar” for explanation)

A highlight of the evening, this was a hands-on demonstration of existing global norms of water availability and consumption. In this demonstration we specifically focused on countries in sub-Saharan Africa to the United States to show the greatest contrast in water issues.

Game: Separated audience into Two teams; one red, one blue.

Red Team represented citizens of the United States

Blue Team represented citizens of Africa

Objective/Rules of the teams= stick with your group AND get as much water as you can in the allotted time

Through specially tailored activities for each group, the true inequality between the countries was depicted. Teams soon realized that despite the blue team’s much greater and numerous extra efforts to obtain water (in the form of physical challenges), they were still highly disadvantaged and ended up obtaining much less water for much more work in comparison with the red Team (America).

“SURVEY ANALYSIS”

Via Facebook and the internet, we randomly sample 64 volunteer IC students. We asked 10 questions that focused on their own personal water consumption habits (ranging from “time spent in shower” to “hygiene products used”). After collecting data, we statistically analyzed (via Excel) the data and created a graph representing our findings. We included in our Powerpoint (shown below) and used it as a visual discussion piece about personal water habits and responsibility.

REFLECTIONS and REACTIONS– The presentation was a smashing success (despite a small turnout of audience in the face of impending finals week). There was A LOT of information that we shared, but it was delineated in an easy-to-follow and (GASP) FUN format. Audience members after the presentation came up to us and thanked us for an educational but fun night. (We were thrilled!)

SO what would we do differently? Most importantly, we would choose a time that didn’t fall in the last weeks before the end of the semester, as to increase audience turnout. Another change that we would consider for the future as to make the game as factual as possible, and not so much dramatic improvisation.

WHAT WE LEARNED-

We, as a group got a valuable lesson in how to organize a presentation for our peers and also how to approach topics in sustainability in a non-judgmental, efficient and effective manner. We were able to identify and discuss people’s own barriers to leading a more sustainable lifestyle, which was incredibly valuable to us.

To see more of the actual presentaion below, we have included our Powerpoint for your viewing pleasure.